Coffee Breaks

[rnWinn]

What kind of breaks do nurses in the U.S. generally take? I work 12 hour shifts and because we're unionized we are supposed to get 2 short coffee breaks and one longer lunch break on our shifts. Of course there are many times where we don't get breaks at all, because it's just too busy! But we are paid OT if we miss a break. I have heard some horror stories from travel nurses I've met who never got breaks at all! Don't get me wrong I'm a very hard worker but hey a break once in a while really helps!

[angel4gramma]

We get 2 10min breaks and 30 min lunch that is included in a 12 hour day. You can take a 30 min dinner but its not paid. I never take the 10 mins unless nothing is going on and some of the time I don't get the entire 30 min break. Some nurses take all and more. Had a staff nurse time a traveler and yell at her for taking too long then took more than 30 min himself.